Boring machine



May 30, 1944. H. M. LUCAS ET AL 2,350,174

BORING MACHINE Filed Dec. 2, 1958 16 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VENTORS /w.e r /2 lama BY H044 1.5 hf cSTE'P/lfl/Y ATTQRNE s May 30, H M LUCAS ET AL BORING MACHINE Filed Dec. 2, 1938 16 Sheets-Sheet 2 fie? N INVENTORJ fifme r P7. L ucns BY f/luus M Sns-P/M/Y ATTORN 16 Sheets-Sheet 3 H. M. LUCAS ET AL BORING MACHINE Fi led Dec. 2, 1938 I I I I l May 30, 1944.

May 30, 1944. LUCAS AL 2,350,174

BORING MACHINE Filed Dec. 2, 1938 16 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTORS A's/m Y I! 4 aces BY finals A! fire-Mm ATTORNEYS May 30, 1944.. H. M. LUCAS ETAL 2,350,174

BORING MACHINE Filed Dec. 2, 1938 W T'TORNEYS May 30, 1944. H. M. LUCAS ETAL 2,350,174

BORING MACHINE Filed Dec. 2, 1938 16 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTORJ Hs-mer /Z A0045 BY Hen/.5 hf drew/new W Ma d ATTO Yfi y 30, 1944- H. M. LUCAS ET L 2,350,174

BORING MACHINE Filed Dec. 2, 1938 16 Sheets-Sheet 7 INVENTORS fis/xe Y /f A ucmi May 30, 1944. H. M LUCAS ET AL 2,350,174

BORING MACHINE Filed Dec. 2; 1938 16 Sheets-Sheet 8 kvw hww

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INVENTORS Heme Y M 4 0045 BY f/HLL/J A. STEP/m ATTORNEYS May 30, 1944.

H. M. LUCAS ET AL 2,350,174

BORING MACHINE Filed Dec. 2, 1938 16 Sheets-Sheet l0 a b w m N Q 0 & s W Lt a N l g m INVENTOR5 flzswer /2 [aces BY H441 as A. 4976/ /96 ATTO up 5 May 30, 1944.

M, LUCAS ET AL BORING MACHINE Filed Dec. 2, 1938 16 Sheets-Sheet 11 I INVENTORS flame Y Mlam ATTORNEY May 30, 1944. H. M. LUCAS ETAL I 2,350,174

BORING MACHINE Filed Dec. 2, 1958 16 Sheets-Sheet l4 INVENTORS 5 5? rd ucms 5y 444/6 rep/m (Adam Jeff ATTORNEYS y 1944, H. M. LUCAS E 2,350,1m

BORING MACHINE Filed Dec. 2, 1938 16 Sheets-Sheet l5 Patented May 30, 1944 BORING MACHINE Henry M. Lucas and Hallis N. Stephan, Cleveland Heights, Ohio, assignors, by mesne assignments, to The Lucas Machine Tool Company, Bratcnahl, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application December 2,1938, Serial No. 243,616

42 Claims.

The present invention relates to machine tools and more particularly to horizontal boring machines.

Machines of the character referred to usually comprise a work table slidably supported on a saddle for movement transversely of a horizontal tool spindle rotatab-ly supported in a tool spindle head slidably supported for vertical movement on a head column fixed to one end of the bed. The saddle which carries the work table is in turn slidably supported on the bed for movement at right angles to the movement of the work table, and the end of the bed other than the end which carries the head column is provided with a column carrying a back rest block.

Prior to the present invention it was universal practice to locate the various controls for eifectmg the different movements of the table, saddle, spindle head, etc., on the spindle head, and/or the base. In these positions the controls were not always within convenient reach of the operator who was often required to manipulate the controls without being able to see the tool, etc. This was especially true with reference to machines of the larger sizes.

The principal object of the present invention is the provision of a novel and improved boring machine of the character referred to, the various movements and/or operations of which can be controlled or efiected from any convenient part of the machine, thus permitting the operator a clear view of the tool and work at all times.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a novel and improved boring machine of the character referred to comprising a control system for performing the various operations so arranged that certain operations can only be performed selectively thereby minimizing the possibility of accidentally moving one of the elements, for example, the spindle head,while another element, for example, the table, is movmg.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a novel and improved boring machine of the character referred to comprising means for simultaneously unclamping, moving, and clamping both the spindle head and the back rest block.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a novel and improved boring machine of the character referred to, the control mechanism of which is so arranged that the drive for moving the spindle head and back rest block is inoperative until the head and back rest block have been unclamped from the ways or columns.

The present invention resides in certain novel details of construction. combinations and arrangements of parts and further objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art to which the invention relates from the following description of the preferred embodiment thereof described with reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification in which similar reference characters designate corresponding parts, and in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a horizontal boring machine embodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 shows a front elevational view of the horizontal boring machine shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the machine shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 shows aleft-hand end view of the machine shoWn in Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is-a section on the line 55 of Fig. 4, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic view of the mechanism for reciprocating the saddle and table, and for raising and lowering the spindle head and the backrest block;

Fig. 7 is a plan view showing the control mechanism for the feed change transmission shown v in Fig. 6, taken approximately on the line i--'l of Fig. 2;

Fig. 8 is a side view of the control mechanism shown in Fig. 7, taken on the line 8-8 of Figs. 2 and 7, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 9 is a side elevation of the table and parts of the saddle approximately on the line 98 of Fig.

Fig. 10 is an enlarged view of a portion of Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is a section approximately on the line il--il of Fig. 10;

12 is an enlarged view of a. portion of Fig. 13 is a side elevation of the mechanism shown in Fig. 12 approximately on the line i3-i ii of Fig. 2;

Fig. 14 is a section approximately on the line MM of Figs. 12 and 13;

Fig. 15 is a section approximately on the line i5-i5 of Fig. 12;

Fig. 16 is a diagrammatic view of that portion of the drive for rotating and reciprocating the spindle which is located in the base of the machine;

Fig. 17 is a side view of the control mechanism for the feed change transmission shown in Fig.

16 approximately on the line of Figs. 2 and 16;

Fig. 18 is a plan view of part of the control mechanism shown in Fig. 17 approximately on the line |8-|8 of Figs. 2 and 17;

Fig. 19 is a diagrammatic view of the portion of the mechanism for rotating, feeding and traversing the spindle which is located in the spindle head;

Fig. 20 is a front elevation of the spindle feed hand wheel, dials, etc.;

Fig. 21 is a section on the line 2|-2| of Figs. 2 and 20;

Fig. 22 is a diagrammatic view of the head clamping mechanism;

Fig. 23 is a section through the backrest clamping mechanism approximately on the line 2323 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 24 is a section with portions in elevation on the line 24-24 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 25 is a section with portions in elevation on the line 25-25 of Fig. 24;

Fig. 26 is a plan view of the pendant control station taken on the line 26-26 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 27 is a front elevation of the pendant control station as viewed in Fig. 2;:

Fig. 28 is a side elevation of the pendant control station shown in Fig. 27, looking from the right;

Figs. 29, 30, 31, and 32 are wiring diagrams of the electrical control system.

Referring to the drawings, the machine shown therein comprises a base A, provided at one end with a spindle head column B formed with vertical ways It! and II upon which a spindle head C is mounted for vertical movement, and at the other end with a backrest or outboard support column D slidably supported on horizontal ways l2 and I3 formed on the upper side of the bed. The ways I2 and I3 also support a saddle E having transverse horizontal ways l4 and I5 on the upper side thereof which in turn support a work table F. The back rest column C is provided with vertical ways l6 and I1 upon which a back rest block G is mounted for vertical movement.

The spindle head which is counterbalanced by a weight (not shown) in the conventional manner, is adapted to be moved vertically along the ways It] and H by a lead screw l8 having threaded engagement with a nut fixed in the spindle head. The lead screw I8 is rotatably supported in the base A and the head column B. In addition to being rotatable in, opposite directions the tool spindle, designated generally by the reference character I9, is movable in opposite directions longitudinally of its axis of rotation at different speeds to efiect both feeding and traversing movements. The backrest block or out board support G is movable simultaneously with the movement of the spindle head by a vertical lead screw 20 located within the back rest column D and connected to the drive or mechanism for rotating the screw l8. The saddle E is movable longitudinally of the tool spindle along the ways l2 and I3 and the table F is movable transversely of the tool spindle along the ways I4 and I5, at different speeds by mechanism hereinafter specially referred to.

According to the. provisions of the present invention, the speed and direction of rotation of the spindle, etc., and the aforesaid movements of the various elements such as the feed and rapid traverse of the spindle, head, saddle, table, etc., are performed by power and their operation may be controlled from any convenient place about the machine. In the embodiment of the invention shown, five electric motors are employed; a reversible motor 2| hereinafter referred to as the feed and rapid traverse motor, suit-' ably supported on the bed within a guard 22 adjacent to the left-hand end of the machine; a reversible main driving motor 23 arranged for ceiling mounting, also enclosed within the guard 22; a spindle rapid traverse, reversible motor 24 mounted on the head C; a reversible motor 400 for clamping and releasing the back rest block; and a reversible motor 409 for moving the back rest column D.

The feed and rapid traverse motor 2| is connected to the saddle and table feeding and rapid traversing mechanism and to the spindle head and back rest raising and lowerin mechanism, the main driving motor 23 is connected to the spindle rotating and feeding mechanism, and the reversible motor 24 actuates the rapid traverse for the tool spindle. The motors are adapted to be selectively corl'nected to the various operating elements through the medium of suitable speed change transmissions, shafts, gears,

clutches, etc., the controls for which are located on or adjacent to the base A, spindle head C, and/or pendant electric control station H fixed to the lower end of a pipe 25 connected to a universally movable arm 26 by a flexible cable 21.

The arm 26 (see Fig. 5) is supported adjacent to its rear end on the column B through the medium of a member 28 pivotally connected on the upper end of the column for rotation about a vertical axis by a pin 29 fixed to the column. The arm 26 is connected to the member 28 by being clamped between two portions of a member 30 journaled for rotation about a horizontal axis in the upper end of the member 28. A counterweight 3| carried by an arm 32 fixed to the member 30 counterbalances the weight of the control station H. Preferably some suitable friction or other means is employed for holding the arm 26 in any adjusted position. As shown, a springpressed plunger 33 located in an aperture in the member 28 and adapted to cooperate with teeth or serrations in the adjacent side of the hub of the counterweight arm 32 retains the arm 26 in any desired position.

The reversible motor 2| which drives the saddle and table feeding and traversing mechanism and the spindle head and backrest block elevating and lowering mechanism is operatively connected to a horizontally extending shaft 34 rotatably supported in the base A, through the medium of a V-belt drive 35 and spur gears 36 and 31. From the gear 3! the drive is either at a relatively slow or feeding rate through a variable feed change transmission designated generally by the reference character J and an overrunning clutch device designated generally by the reference character K, or at a relatively high or traversing rate through a normally disengaged disk clutch L, a shaft 38, and the overrunning clutch mechanism K. The feed change gears, etc., are housed within a suitable gear box 39 in the base A. Through the medium of the transmission J the shaft 34 may be rotated at various speeds, and through the medium of the normally disengaged friction clutch L, the driven element of which is carried by a gear 40 continuously in mesh with the gear 31, the shaft 34 may be selectively rotated at a high rate of speed. The gear 31 is keyed to the driven shaft of the feed change transmission J and the gear 40 is journaled on the shaft 38. The driving element of the friction clutch L is splined to a shaft 38, which shaft is in axial alignment with the shaft 34 and is adapted to be actuated to engage the clutch L upon energization of an electrically operated solenoid 4| connected to one lever of a bell crank lever 42 pivoted on the frame, the other lever of which is connected to a member 43 which in turn actuates the clutch elements.

The last or driving gear 44 of the transmission J is continuously in mesh with a gear 45 which forms the low speed element of the power transmission mechanism L. The gear 45 is rotatably supported on the shaft 34 and has formed integral therewith the driving element 46 of a normally engaged toothed clutch, the driven element 41 of which is splined on the shaft 34. The lefthand end of the driven element 41, as viewed in Fig. 6, has a plurality of sloping teeth or cam surfaces 48 which cooperate with similar teeth 49 on a high speed driving member 58 fixed to the right-hand end of the high speed shaft 38. The member 41 is continuously urged towards the left, as viewed in Fig. 6, by a compression spring interposed therebetween and the gear 45. The construction is such that the shaft 34 is normally connected to the transmission J through the normally engaged clutch elements 46 and 41 and the gears 44 and 45, with the shaft 38 rotating at the same speed as the shaft 34 due to the engagement of the teeth 48 and 49.

Upon engagement of the friction clutch L, the

shaft 38 is rotated at a higher rate of speed than the shaft 34. This difference in speed causes the teeth 48 of the slidable clutch element 41 to climb the teeth 49 of the element 58 carried by the shaft 38, with the result that the slidable clutch element 41 is moved towards the right, disengag ing the teeth thereof from the teeth of the clutch element 46, which in turn disengages the low speed drive. Thereafter, the shaft 34 is rotated at the same high speed as the shaft 38. Movement of the member 41 towards the right is limited by the compression spring 5|, and the construction is such that the cooperating teeth 48 and 49 are never permitted to clear each other. Both sides of the teeth 48 and 49 are inclined which makes the device operable for either direction of rotation of the motor 2|. When the clutch L is released, the spring 5| reengages the cooperating clutch teeth of the clutch elements 46 and 41, and reconnects the feed to the shaft 35 in place of the rapid traverse.

The shaft 34 i also in axial alignment with a third shaft 52 to which it is connected by a normally engaged overload release clutch 53, operable in either direction. The right-hand end of the shaft 52, as viewed in Fig. 6, is provided with a gear 54 continuously in mesh with the gear 55 rotatably supported on a shaft 56 to which it is adapted to be selectively connected by a normally disengaged positive drive clutch M, the driven element 51 of which is splined on the left-hand end of the shaft 56. and provided with clutch teeth adapted to engage clutch teeth formed on the hub of the gear 55. The shaft 56 is operatively connected to a lead screw 58 extending longitudinally of the machine and rotatably supported in the base A, which lead screw moves the saddle E along the ways I 2 and 13. A gear 68 keyed to the shaft 56 adjacent to the right-hand end thereof is continuously in mesh with a gear 6| of a gear cluster, the smaller gear 62 of which cluster is continuously in mesh with a gear 63 fixed to the lead screw 58.

Themovable element 51 of the normally disengaged clutch M is adapted to be moved toward the right, as viewed in Fig. 6, to engage the clutch and thereby connect the lead screw 58 to the shaft 52 and in turn the feed and rapid traverse motor 2| by an electric solenoid 64 suitably supported in the base A of the machine, the armature 65 of which solenoid is connected to the slidable clutch element 51 by a slidable rod. 68 and a pivoted yoke member 61. The clutch is normally held in disengaged position by a compression spring 68 surrounding the rod 66 and interposed between the frame of the machine and a shoulder on the rod 66. A hand feed is provided for the saddle E in the form of a rotatable shaft 18, the front end of which, as viewed in Fig. 6, projects through the front of a member 1| fixed to the base A and'is arranged for the reception of a hand crank. The inner end of the shaft 18 is connected to the shaft 56 by miter gears 12 and 13. v

The table F is adapted to be moved along the ways l4 and I5 of the saddle E by a lead screw 15 rotatably supported in the saddle and operatively connected to a suitable nut fixed to the underside of the table. The lead screw 15 is adapted to be selectively connected to the shaft 52 in a manner similar to that in which the lead screw 58 is selectively connected to said shaft 52, which manner of connection has just been described. The gear 55 journaled on the shaft 56 is continuously in mesh with a gear 16 which in turn is continuously in mesh with a gear 11 journaled on a shaft 18 rotatably supported in the base A and extending substantially the length thereof.

The gear 11 is adapted to be selectively connected to the shaft 18 by a normally disengaged, positive drive tooth clutch N similar to the clutch M. The slidable element 88 of the clutch N is splined to the left-hand end of the shaft 18 and is moved towards the right to engage the teeth thereof with teeth formed on the hub of gear 11 by an electric solenoid 8|, the armature 82 of which is adapted to be connected to the movable clutch element 88 through the medium of a slidable rod 83 connected to the armature 82 and to one end of a pivoted lever 84, the opposite end of which lever is connected to a slidable rod 85 which in turn is connected to a pivoted lever 86 carried by a short shaft 81 journaled in the frame, to the lower end of which shaft is secured a clutch operating yoke 88 that engages in a groove formed in the movable clutch member 88. The pivoted lever 86 is continuously urged in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 6, by a compression spring 89 interposed between the frame of the machine and the upper end of the lever 84. The construction is such that upon energization of the solenoid 8|, the armature 82 is moved. towards the left, rotating the member 86 in a counterclockwise direction and engaging the clutch N.

A gear 92 carried by the saddle E and splined to the shaft 18 is continuously in mesh with a gear 93 journaled on a shaft 94 and formed integral with a bevel gear 95. The bevel gear 95 meshes with a bevel gear 96 fixed to the rear end of the transverse shaft 91 rotatably supported in the saddle E, the forward end of which is connected to the lead screw 15 by change gears 98, 99, and I88, the first of which is keyed to the forward end of the shaft 91 and is continuously in mesh with the idler gear 99, which in turn meshes with the gear I88 keyed to the lead screw 15. The forward end of the lead screw is provided with a worm wheel |8| continuously in mesh with the worm I82 fixed to a shaft I03 journaled in the saddle and extending longitudinally of the machine. The ends of the shaft I03 project from opposite sides of the saddle and are arranged for the reception of a hand crank.

The lead screw I8 which is adapted to raise and lower the spindle head and the lead screw 20 which is adapted to raise and lower the back rest block are adapted to be selectively connected to the shaft 52 in a manner similar to that in which the lead screws 58 and I5 are connected to the shaft 52. For this purpose, the gear 11 journaled on the left-hand end of the shaft I8 is continuously in mesh with a gear I04 joumaled on a longitudinally extending shaft I05 to which it is adapted to be operatively corinected by a normally disengaged tooth clutch 0, similar in construction to the clutches M and N previously referred to, the movable element I05 of which is splined to the shaft I05. The shaft I05 carries two bevel gears I01 and I08 continuously in mesh with bevel gears I09 and H fixed to the lower end of the lead screws I8 and 20, respectively. The gear I08 is splined to the shaft I and moves therealong with movement of the outboard column D.

The movable element I06 of the clutch O is adapted to be shifted longitudinally of the shaft I05 to engage and disengage the clutch by a clutch yoke member III formed integral with the clutch yoke member 88. The clutch yoke III is adapted to be rotated in a clockwise direction to engage the clutch O by an electric solenoid II2, the armature II3 of which is connected to the lower end of the pivoted lever 84 by a slidable rod II4. A compression spring II5 surrounding the rod H4 and interposed between the frame of the machine and the lever 84 normally maintains the clutch O disengaged. The gear I09 fixed to the lower end of the lead screw I8 is also engaged by a bevel gear IIii fixed to the rear end of a shaft II I journaled in the member II. The shaft II'I projects to the front of the machine where it is arranged for the reception of the hand crank. This construction provides means for manually raising or lowering the spindle head and the backrest block. The slidable members 66 and 85 are mechanically interlocked by a Y-shaped member II8 pivotally supported intermediate its end by the frame of the machine, in such a manner that by moving one the other can be pulled into its neutral position. Th lower end of the member H8 is pivotally connected to the member 65 and a pin H9 carried by the member 85 projects between the upper ends thereof.

The particular arrangement of the gears, clutches, etc., in the feed change transmission J is such that the R. P. M. of the driven member is always less than the R. P. M. of their respective driving members. shown comprises four shiftable elements I22, I23, I24, and I25, the first two of which, I22

- and I23, are controlled by a face cam I (see Figs. 7 and 8) to which they are connected by suitable levers, etc., designated generally as I21 and I28. The second two shiftable members I 24 and I25 are controlled by a face cam I29 to which they are connected by suitable levers, etc., designated generally as I30 and I3I. The face cam I26 is fixed to a transversely extending horizontal shaft I32, the forward end of which projects through the gear box 39 where it is p ovided with a hand lever I33 for manual operation.

The transmission nected to a vertical shaft I34 by a pair of miter gears I35 and I30. The shaft I34 extends up through the frame of the spindle head and is adapted to be rotated in either direction by a hand lever I31 fixed to a shaft I38 rotatably supported in the spindle head. The shaft I34 is connected to the shaft I38 by a pair of miter gears I39 and I40, the former of which is splined to the vertical shaft I34 so as not to interfere with the vertical movement of the spindle head. The cam I29 is fixed to a transverse horizontal shaft I46, the forward end of which carries a manually operable lever I41 similar to the lever I33 carried by the shaft I32. The rear end of the shaft I46 is operatively connected to a manually controlled lever I50 similar to the lever I3'I by a vertical shalt I5I in a manner similar to that in which the lever I3I is connected to the shaft I32 by the vertical shaft I34. The construction is such that the levers I33 and I41, and I31 and I50 can be rotated through 360. This greatly facilitates setting up the machine.

From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that the saddle, table, spindle head, and backrest block may be operated selectively either manually or by the reversible feed and rapid traverse motor 2|. If operated by the motor 2|, the movements may be in either direction and at either a feed rate or a rapid traverse rate. The arrangement of the clutches for moving the table and the spindle head and backrest block is such that it is impossible to simultaneously engage both clutches. The manner in which the solenoid H, 54, 8|, and H2 are energized will be hereinafter more specifically referred to. The construction also includes three normally open electric switches I52, I53, and I54, the former of which is operatively connected to the rod 66 in such a manner that the circuit therethrough is closed for any position of the rod 66 other than the neutral position shown in Fig. 6. The switch I53 is operatively connected to the rod 85 in a manner similar to that in which the switch I52 is connected to the The rear end of the shaft I32 is con- 7 rod 66 and the circuit through the switch I53 is closed for any position of the rod other than neutral position shown in Fig. 6. The switch I54 is operatively connected to the rod 83 in such a manner that the circuit therethrough is closed for any position of the rod 83 other than the neutral position thereof shown in Fig. 6. The function of these switches willbe hereinafter referred to.

In addition to the switches I52, I53, and I54, a number of suitable normally closed limit switches are employed, which switches stop the feed and rapid traverse motor 2i when the particular element, that is, head, saddle, or table, being moved thereby, reaches the end of its travel. These limit switches are interlocked in a manner hereinafter described so that the limit switches of the elements not being moved will not interfere with the actuation of the element which it is desired to feed or rapid traverse.

Reciprocation of the table F is adapted to be automatically controlled by three limit switches I55, I56, and I51. I56 are normally closed switches and control the feed movement, and the limit switch I5'I controls the rapid traverse movement. The limit switches I55 and I55 are adapted to be opened by downwardly extending projections I58 on a plurality of stops I59, I60, IIiI and I62, respectively, the first two of which stops are fixed to a member I63 carried by the table proper while The limit switches I55 and- 

